1. I've heard some reference that it's impossible to run for 300 yards in B1G competition, and that as long as we are running for 150-200, that we'll be fine. Now mind you, there will be definitely be a game where the rushing game struggles but if Michigan averages 165 yards on the ground against Wisconsin, PSU and OSU, we're going to be in a world of trouble. We have never seen a Harbaugh team run the ball like this for three games. Second, one of the plays which generates the most big play potential is handing the ball to Blake Corum (or even Edwards). Michigan is going to have run for 200+ to win its big games. I don't think we can expect to start throwing for 250+ in big games. The key here is Michigan needs to be patient with the running game. It is very likely that we will have game where we have 25 yards rushing at the end of one quarter. But that doesn't meant the running game isn't working or that another team figured us out, it just means we have to stick with it because 2 yard gain can turn to 6-7 yards gains, or in the case of Corum, a long TD. The ultimate test will be in a game if Michigan is down 10-0 if it starts throwing the ball all over the place. That would be a very bad sign.
2. The luck of OSU never ceases to amaze me. Right now, OSU doesn't look anywhere close to the B1G's best. However, they don't have to look great now because they basically have six weeks where it's very hard to see them losing a game. They go to Indiana on 10/23 (and it's questionable whether IU is even a bowl team this year). But the next four weeks are Akron, at Rutgers, Maryland and bye. So they have time to work things out. Even more fortuitous for OSU is the cross-over games. PSU has to play at Wisconsin and at Iowa (ouch). Michigan plays in Madison. OSU drew Nebraska, Purdue and Minnesota. Huge break there.
3. You have to give Mel Tucker credit. MSU looks very improved. I still think it's hard to see them better than 8-4 because their defense is pretty shaky (380 yards a game).
4. Penn State at Iowa is a huge game on October 9th. If you want to dream about a B1G title for Michigan (and what's the fun in being a fan if you can't dream), you have to that involves dropping one game somewhere along the way not named OSU (unless you think OSU drops two games before it plays Michigan). On paper, the most likely spot for a loss is probably at State College. So, it would be great for Michigan if PSU loses two games along the way to remove itself from the tiebreaker. Fortunately, PSU plays at Iowa and at OSU. If they drop both, then the game in State College may not be essential to win for purposes of avoiding a tiebreaker.
5. As for this week, Rutgers is improved, but scores are deceiving. Rutgers struggles to move the ball and while it's defense is decent, it struggles against the rush. The only way that Rutgers stays in this game is turnovers (something that is basically determined by luck, and luck has been on their side the last two years). If Michigan plays a clean game, it should win comfortably.
2. The luck of OSU never ceases to amaze me. Right now, OSU doesn't look anywhere close to the B1G's best. However, they don't have to look great now because they basically have six weeks where it's very hard to see them losing a game. They go to Indiana on 10/23 (and it's questionable whether IU is even a bowl team this year). But the next four weeks are Akron, at Rutgers, Maryland and bye. So they have time to work things out. Even more fortuitous for OSU is the cross-over games. PSU has to play at Wisconsin and at Iowa (ouch). Michigan plays in Madison. OSU drew Nebraska, Purdue and Minnesota. Huge break there.
3. You have to give Mel Tucker credit. MSU looks very improved. I still think it's hard to see them better than 8-4 because their defense is pretty shaky (380 yards a game).
4. Penn State at Iowa is a huge game on October 9th. If you want to dream about a B1G title for Michigan (and what's the fun in being a fan if you can't dream), you have to that involves dropping one game somewhere along the way not named OSU (unless you think OSU drops two games before it plays Michigan). On paper, the most likely spot for a loss is probably at State College. So, it would be great for Michigan if PSU loses two games along the way to remove itself from the tiebreaker. Fortunately, PSU plays at Iowa and at OSU. If they drop both, then the game in State College may not be essential to win for purposes of avoiding a tiebreaker.
5. As for this week, Rutgers is improved, but scores are deceiving. Rutgers struggles to move the ball and while it's defense is decent, it struggles against the rush. The only way that Rutgers stays in this game is turnovers (something that is basically determined by luck, and luck has been on their side the last two years). If Michigan plays a clean game, it should win comfortably.
